With both Brady Poppinga and Brad Jones landing on season-ending injured reserve this week, the Packers had to dig deep to fill out their roster. Not only that, they're now faced with playing their newly acquired players with very little preparation.

The Packers added four new players this week, two of them outside linebackers. And head coach Mike McCarthy let them know yesterday that their quickest route to playing time isn't necessarily on defense.

"I’m excited about having the three linebackers," said McCarthy. "Particularly, and what I told them in the team meeting [Wednesday], they are going to have an opportunity to make an impact on our special teams. I think our special teams improved. I thought they were productive against Minnesota and we have had a lot of change, but I think there is definitely more to get out of our special-teams units.

"They will be given that opportunity first, and frankly just having fresh bodies out there, and we’ll get them acclimated to our system as fast as we can. It’s good to have all three of those guys."

From first impressions, the new players seem to have gotten that message.

One of the new additions, Diyral Briggs, played on special teams for the Denver Broncos as recently as last weekend.

"I think any team you come into, that's the first way to step onto the field because special teams are very important," said Briggs. "And if you're making plays on special teams, which is very hard–I think that's the hardest play in the NFL–if you happen to make plays on that, playing on offense or defense should be easy for guys that are coming into the system."

Because Briggs hasn't really had any time off and because he became acclimated to the thin air of the Rocky Mountains, he thinks he's in the proper conditioning to contribute.

If Briggs is pressed into action on defense, he thinks his ability to generate a pass rush is one of his best assets.

"I'd say pass rushing, getting to the quarterback," said Briggs. "It's something I've always been able to do. But I think also I'm a great pass dropper. I think I can very enough cover some guys, and make plays definitely. I'm starting to be able to do both, but my passion is pass rushing, getting to the quarterback."

For the time being, however, it looks as if undrafted rookie Frank Zombo will be getting the start at outside linebacker opposite Clay Matthews.

If he impresses and stays healthy, the starting job could be Zombo's for the rest of the season.

"You never want to earn a spot like this if a guy gets injured, especially Brad who's a good friend," said Zombo. "But it's a good opportunity and for the team, I have to take advantage of it. With my ability, I feel confident, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Adding depth at the position could be Brandon Chillar who got an extended look at outside linebacker during the preseason.

The Packers eventually decided to go with a combination of Jones, Zombo and Poppinga coming out of training camp, but Chillar probably has a better knowledge of Dom Capers' defensive system than the newbies.

Robert Francois and newly signed Eric Walden provide depth, but don't figure to get much playing time, at least night right away.

But with injuries occurring the way they've been with the Packers, nothing is out of the realm of possibility.